Total cave job by the mediocre, middlin’, muddlin’ Colorado Avalanche tonight, folks.
Had the night off, but I still watched the contest on the House Channel. Rest assured, Avs fans, it was just all “bad luck” tonight for the local according to the House Men (and I really do think Mike Haynes and Peter McNab are top-notch at what they do. I just wish they could speak their minds more. A shame, really. The real villains in this are the overly sensitive, we-can’t-take-any-criticism-so-we-self-produce-our-own-propaganda-on-house-channel sports team owners).

This is what mediocre teams do in big home games, games that could pivot a season toward the playoffs: they get out to a little lead early on, then have chances to build on it, but don’t do it. Then the mediocre team starts to tighten up a little, and, boom, the game is tied. Then the medidcre team starts to tighten up a little more, then gets a call go against them. Finally, the mediocre team has the BIG PLAY happen against it and falls behind.

The mediocre team scuffles around and has a couple close calls in trying to tie it up, but, alas, lose in the end.

Those were your Avs tonight against the younger, more talented and – this is the sad, but true part – hungrier opponent. Avs have a 3-2 lead with about 10 minutes to go, but turns into MEDIOCRE TEAM the rest of the way and see the Hawks skate off with a 4-3 win.

Peter Budaj couldn’t make the clutch save on the third Chicago goal, then Jordan Leopold takes a hooking penalty. Mediocre Team kills off the two minutes of the penalty, but because it’s a mediocre, ultimately loser team, can’t get the puck out of the zone after the penalty expires.
Then the mediocre, ultimately loser team, all tired and victims of “bad luck”, has the winning goal happen against them.

Momentum gone, 14-14-1 record, now on the road Monday against the Stanley Cup champs.

AD, you’ll probably get a ton of slack about this blog post, but I couldn’t agree more. I was disgusted, too. Funny how quickly and easily that 6-pack disappeared from my fridge while watching tonight’s game. Remember the good ol’ days?

Nate

AD, you’ll probably get a ton of slack about this blog post, but I couldn’t agree more. I was disgusted, too. Funny how quickly and easily that 6-pack disappeared from my fridge while watching tonight’s game. Remember the good ol’ days?

Mike1969

Unfortunately tonight was game 1 of a 3 game losing streak. Watching is just painful!

Mike1969

Unfortunately tonight was game 1 of a 3 game losing streak. Watching is just painful!

ClaudeLemieux

Most Charitable Franchise in the NHL, The Avalanche, giving away points since 2006.

I think mediocre may be a little generous for this team. It’s unfortunate that “because of a couple bad bounces the Avs just couldn’t get the puck out of the zone” on that fourth goal. And by bad bounces, I mean players making terrible passes and being unable to shoot the puck up off the boards with any mustard.

You’re dead on with the effort. The Blackhawks, like seemingly everyone the Avs play these days, wanted it more.

ClaudeLemieux

Most Charitable Franchise in the NHL, The Avalanche, giving away points since 2006.

I think mediocre may be a little generous for this team. It’s unfortunate that “because of a couple bad bounces the Avs just couldn’t get the puck out of the zone” on that fourth goal. And by bad bounces, I mean players making terrible passes and being unable to shoot the puck up off the boards with any mustard.

You’re dead on with the effort. The Blackhawks, like seemingly everyone the Avs play these days, wanted it more.

Al

Yeah, the Avs sucked all over the ice tonight.

Tony G should start rotating out the seven defensemen until he can figure out who to get rid of. This will send a message to them all that no one is safe, and hopefully it’ll light a fire under their butts to get them all to quit standing around in their end.

Boods also needs a night off. He can’t be expected to come in and make the big saves every single game while the rest of the team is relaxing.

Oh well. I still hope the Avs beat the Wings.

Al

Yeah, the Avs sucked all over the ice tonight.

Tony G should start rotating out the seven defensemen until he can figure out who to get rid of. This will send a message to them all that no one is safe, and hopefully it’ll light a fire under their butts to get them all to quit standing around in their end.

Boods also needs a night off. He can’t be expected to come in and make the big saves every single game while the rest of the team is relaxing.

Oh well. I still hope the Avs beat the Wings.

AVSFAN

A.D., instead of telling us what we know already about this team….they are awful thanks to their great G.M. Francois “I have no clue” Giguere…..find out WHY he won’t do anything! I don’t understand why you, as a beat writer, can’t tell him about what we write on your blog and that we want answers as to why he doesn’t do anything? I don’t know why you can’t ask him the tough questions, are you scared or you just won’t do it? I mean ask him questions like………..Are we in rebuilding mode?………Why is this team reluctant to spend money lately?……..Why do you have two mediocre goalies with a combined salary of 1.6 million while every other team has a #1 goalie making 4 times that? How about asking him this one A.D., with Joe Sakic out for the rest of the season are you going to make a move soon or are you going to throw the towel in? These are very easy questions to ask, and if he gives you a line of propaganda then tell him you’ll let the fans know he has no interest in doing anything!! Adrian, NFL, NBA,and MLB reporters all ask the tough questions why doesn’t NHL writers? It seems you all walk on eggshells around these guys, why? You my friend, is our only voice to get to Giguere and ask him the tough questions please do it!!

AVSFAN

A.D., instead of telling us what we know already about this team….they are awful thanks to their great G.M. Francois “I have no clue” Giguere…..find out WHY he won’t do anything! I don’t understand why you, as a beat writer, can’t tell him about what we write on your blog and that we want answers as to why he doesn’t do anything? I don’t know why you can’t ask him the tough questions, are you scared or you just won’t do it? I mean ask him questions like………..Are we in rebuilding mode?………Why is this team reluctant to spend money lately?……..Why do you have two mediocre goalies with a combined salary of 1.6 million while every other team has a #1 goalie making 4 times that? How about asking him this one A.D., with Joe Sakic out for the rest of the season are you going to make a move soon or are you going to throw the towel in? These are very easy questions to ask, and if he gives you a line of propaganda then tell him you’ll let the fans know he has no interest in doing anything!! Adrian, NFL, NBA,and MLB reporters all ask the tough questions why doesn’t NHL writers? It seems you all walk on eggshells around these guys, why? You my friend, is our only voice to get to Giguere and ask him the tough questions please do it!!

Cody

So they might as well save a little bit of money and not even make the trip to Detroit right? Detroit lost to Dallas tonight who is in last place. In a 7 game series of course I’m taking the Red Wings, but to already chalk Monday night up as a loss is foolish in my opinion. There is a reason the games are played. There’s no reason why the Avs can’t beat them in a regular season game in December.

Cody

So they might as well save a little bit of money and not even make the trip to Detroit right? Detroit lost to Dallas tonight who is in last place. In a 7 game series of course I’m taking the Red Wings, but to already chalk Monday night up as a loss is foolish in my opinion. There is a reason the games are played. There’s no reason why the Avs can’t beat them in a regular season game in December.

AVSFAN

By the way fans here is Giguere’s moves since coming to the Avs………#1 Smyth…..Great move, but Sakic brung him here not Giguere! #2 Hannan………BUST…need I say more! #3 Forsberg………no brainer, Lacroix made the call!!! #4 Foote………..no brainer also, didn’t take much imagination to make this move either!! #5 Salei……….a classic ho-hum trade, looks even worse this year!! #6 Tucker and Raycroft……..is there another word for BUST!! Now if you look at these moves what has he done….NOTHING!!! Ryan Smyth was the only great signing and like I said if it wasn’t for Sakic, he wouldn’t of came here!!! Adrian this is WHY I don’t understand why you don’t ask him the tough questions? How about asking Pierre Lacroix if he is happy with Giguere’s job so far with the Avs?

AVSFAN

By the way fans here is Giguere’s moves since coming to the Avs………#1 Smyth…..Great move, but Sakic brung him here not Giguere! #2 Hannan………BUST…need I say more! #3 Forsberg………no brainer, Lacroix made the call!!! #4 Foote………..no brainer also, didn’t take much imagination to make this move either!! #5 Salei……….a classic ho-hum trade, looks even worse this year!! #6 Tucker and Raycroft……..is there another word for BUST!! Now if you look at these moves what has he done….NOTHING!!! Ryan Smyth was the only great signing and like I said if it wasn’t for Sakic, he wouldn’t of came here!!! Adrian this is WHY I don’t understand why you don’t ask him the tough questions? How about asking Pierre Lacroix if he is happy with Giguere’s job so far with the Avs?

Hammer

Part One – Big Test – Failure

Who knows with this team, but I predict they’ll get some major spankings on the upcoming road trip.

They had a pretty decent first period, then started playing for the Mediocrity Cup again. Once again, the “minimum wage” guys come to play, and the “stars” have the best seats in the house. You could see the AVs getting outskated all night.

Can Hannan skate any slower on a live line change? The poor defenseman who comes on after him has to race into the play so they don’t get burned, regularly. He looks like he doesn’t want to be out on the ice. He appears to be one of those people who do the minimum to get by. I think he’s lazy. Get people on the ice who want to play a full shift, and a full game.

If some of the guys think they’re keeping something in the tank for the post season, the only energy they’ll need is to hit the remote to watch the playoffs.

Mediocrity is unacceptable! Where is the pride?

Hammer

Part One – Big Test – Failure

Who knows with this team, but I predict they’ll get some major spankings on the upcoming road trip.

They had a pretty decent first period, then started playing for the Mediocrity Cup again. Once again, the “minimum wage” guys come to play, and the “stars” have the best seats in the house. You could see the AVs getting outskated all night.

Can Hannan skate any slower on a live line change? The poor defenseman who comes on after him has to race into the play so they don’t get burned, regularly. He looks like he doesn’t want to be out on the ice. He appears to be one of those people who do the minimum to get by. I think he’s lazy. Get people on the ice who want to play a full shift, and a full game.

If some of the guys think they’re keeping something in the tank for the post season, the only energy they’ll need is to hit the remote to watch the playoffs.

Mediocrity is unacceptable! Where is the pride?

Jhan Ganyen

I’m a Denver native living in Norman, OK, right now and have been an Avs fan since they came to Denver. I’m still an Avs fan, but I can’t watch any games on TV right now–which I’m not too disappointed about. I catch them on NHL.com radio at times, but not always. I follow them in the Post every day or so, but it doesn’t seem (from what I’ve read) that they have had any sort of hunger all year, as a team.

Bummer that the championship or bust attitude has faded from The Can.

I’m still a fan.

Boomer.

Jhan Ganyen

I’m a Denver native living in Norman, OK, right now and have been an Avs fan since they came to Denver. I’m still an Avs fan, but I can’t watch any games on TV right now–which I’m not too disappointed about. I catch them on NHL.com radio at times, but not always. I follow them in the Post every day or so, but it doesn’t seem (from what I’ve read) that they have had any sort of hunger all year, as a team.

Bummer that the championship or bust attitude has faded from The Can.

I’m still a fan.

Boomer.

James

You put mediocre team alot of times.

You should have been putting it way back on July 1st when the tsn ticker read:

“Wild sign F Andrew Brunette
Capitals sign G Jose Theodore

Avalanche sign F Darcy Tucker
Avalanche sign G Andrew Raycroft”

James

You put mediocre team alot of times.

You should have been putting it way back on July 1st when the tsn ticker read:

“Wild sign F Andrew Brunette
Capitals sign G Jose Theodore

Avalanche sign F Darcy Tucker
Avalanche sign G Andrew Raycroft”

Some Dude

Very dismal performance tonight in the second half of the game. Unfortunately the reaction from the Altitude and Avs organization puppets telling us they didn’t get the bounces and not seemingly upset with giving up two goals in the last ten minutes of a game, just breeds more mediocrity. There is no accountability with this team, and passion or distaste for losing anymore. Playing hockey for the Avs has become more of a job, and a routine than a privilege. Winning and losing doesn’t seem to matter as much as it did for guys like Forsberg and Foote back in the day, when they wouldn’t settle for losing games like tonight which they have done so often in the last few years.

Some Dude

Very dismal performance tonight in the second half of the game. Unfortunately the reaction from the Altitude and Avs organization puppets telling us they didn’t get the bounces and not seemingly upset with giving up two goals in the last ten minutes of a game, just breeds more mediocrity. There is no accountability with this team, and passion or distaste for losing anymore. Playing hockey for the Avs has become more of a job, and a routine than a privilege. Winning and losing doesn’t seem to matter as much as it did for guys like Forsberg and Foote back in the day, when they wouldn’t settle for losing games like tonight which they have done so often in the last few years.

D L

The turning point was the Avs’ inability to clear the puck on that 3rd period penalty kill. Hejduk made a nice steal down low but sent the puck right out to the point. The Avs never possessed the puck again until they fished it out of the back of the net. I thought it was a hard-working penalty kill but they just wore out. To some degree, the play was a bad break. Nonetheless, blowing 3rd period leads like that is not good and neither was Budaj last night.

D L

The turning point was the Avs’ inability to clear the puck on that 3rd period penalty kill. Hejduk made a nice steal down low but sent the puck right out to the point. The Avs never possessed the puck again until they fished it out of the back of the net. I thought it was a hard-working penalty kill but they just wore out. To some degree, the play was a bad break. Nonetheless, blowing 3rd period leads like that is not good and neither was Budaj last night.

DavidB

Its going to take changes at the top before we’ll see a better product on the ice. FG needs to go. Granato needs to go. Where is Patrick Roy’s killer instinct when you need it?

DavidB

Its going to take changes at the top before we’ll see a better product on the ice. FG needs to go. Granato needs to go. Where is Patrick Roy’s killer instinct when you need it?

Ken J.

Nate,
The good ol days are long long gone. I miss em too. There’s no denying that this is a mediocre team.

Ken J.

Nate,
The good ol days are long long gone. I miss em too. There’s no denying that this is a mediocre team.

Exiled Avs Fan

Hey AD,

I have been saying it since the begining of the season. It seems only Lappy has the hunger to give 100% EVERY night. Who is going to step up off the ice on this team? The problems are to big to solve during the season, when you have a 500 at best goalie, a veteran second line center who should be in the ECHL, and kid millionare who seems more interested in getting home and playing on hi Wii than winning hockey games…you have big problems. There is no pride left in this organization.

I couldn’t agree with you more about the “Home Channel” I have been saying it for years. Making excuses for another pathetic effort does not do the Avs of the fans any good. Now lets see the Wings beat em for like the hundreth time in a row.

Exiled Avs Fan

Hey AD,

I have been saying it since the begining of the season. It seems only Lappy has the hunger to give 100% EVERY night. Who is going to step up off the ice on this team? The problems are to big to solve during the season, when you have a 500 at best goalie, a veteran second line center who should be in the ECHL, and kid millionare who seems more interested in getting home and playing on hi Wii than winning hockey games…you have big problems. There is no pride left in this organization.

I couldn’t agree with you more about the “Home Channel” I have been saying it for years. Making excuses for another pathetic effort does not do the Avs of the fans any good. Now lets see the Wings beat em for like the hundreth time in a row.

EJT

Mike Haynes is not top notch at what he does. I went to the game last night, so thankfully I didn’t have to listen to that piece of trash soil the telecast, which is usually a nightly occurrence. Someone explain to me why Tjarnqvist was benched. But yet Scott Hannan continues to earn 4.5 million for doing absolutely nothing.

EJT

Mike Haynes is not top notch at what he does. I went to the game last night, so thankfully I didn’t have to listen to that piece of trash soil the telecast, which is usually a nightly occurrence. Someone explain to me why Tjarnqvist was benched. But yet Scott Hannan continues to earn 4.5 million for doing absolutely nothing.

Tucker

It was indeed a middle of the run showing tonight. The kool-aid drinkin’ homers like myself are going to say that we will learn from the defeat and come out strong against the red wings, but I think all of my fellow optomists will agree that with this team, it just usually doesn’t turn out that way. So lets go ahead and put a little somethin’ extra in that kool-aid so the losses don’t hurt as bad! ;) Btw, another good game for stewie, at least in my opnion.

Tucker

It was indeed a middle of the run showing tonight. The kool-aid drinkin’ homers like myself are going to say that we will learn from the defeat and come out strong against the red wings, but I think all of my fellow optomists will agree that with this team, it just usually doesn’t turn out that way. So lets go ahead and put a little somethin’ extra in that kool-aid so the losses don’t hurt as bad! ;) Btw, another good game for stewie, at least in my opnion.

dingbatbaby

I have shouted from the rooftops since october that this teams “d” wasn’t as good as everyone said it was. Ruslan Salei, Scott Hanan, and Adam…(yes that Adam) Foote prove me right every time they step on the ice. There has to be someone in the NHL that can step in and fill Salei’s skates with ease. Do you see what I see? A monkey on skates is what I see and it is what it is. Other guys have stepped up and played fine. Like Stewart and Hensick. They should not go anywhere the rest of the year.

dingbatbaby

I have shouted from the rooftops since october that this teams “d” wasn’t as good as everyone said it was. Ruslan Salei, Scott Hanan, and Adam…(yes that Adam) Foote prove me right every time they step on the ice. There has to be someone in the NHL that can step in and fill Salei’s skates with ease. Do you see what I see? A monkey on skates is what I see and it is what it is. Other guys have stepped up and played fine. Like Stewart and Hensick. They should not go anywhere the rest of the year.

Danny

AD your right on, I Knew watching the game Avs would find a way to loose.

Danny

AD your right on, I Knew watching the game Avs would find a way to loose.

Adrian Dater

AVSFAN: First off, Giguere doesn’t like to do a lot of interviews. I ask to to talk quite frequently with him, but most of the time the answer is no. He’s not mean about it, he just prefers to keep quiet most of the time.
Second, if I ask him if he’s in rebuilding mode, the answer is going to be a resounding “no”, no matter what.
Keep it positive is the motto. He’s not going to say anything negative about a player or the team. Yeah, he’ll see “we can be better and we should be better” sometimes, but that’s about it.

Adrian Dater

AVSFAN: First off, Giguere doesn’t like to do a lot of interviews. I ask to to talk quite frequently with him, but most of the time the answer is no. He’s not mean about it, he just prefers to keep quiet most of the time.
Second, if I ask him if he’s in rebuilding mode, the answer is going to be a resounding “no”, no matter what.
Keep it positive is the motto. He’s not going to say anything negative about a player or the team. Yeah, he’ll see “we can be better and we should be better” sometimes, but that’s about it.

Jesse

Checked the highlights. Budaj looked shaky, but Stewart has a nice looking slapper.

Jesse

Checked the highlights. Budaj looked shaky, but Stewart has a nice looking slapper.

EnzoSin

Yeah, we are going to see this a lot this year, win one, lose one, win one, lose one, win one, win one, then lose one, lose one, lose one. That’s what mediocre teams do. I don’t see them beating the Wings the next game even though it would be nice to see. The coaching staff is still not right for this team, also did it ever occur to anyone that Giguere could merely be the scapegoat for Lacroix so that Lacroix doesn’t get the finger pointed at him for the teams troubles? Keep in mind that Lacroix was still the GM the first year of the “Av’s Killer New NHL” and even though they made the playoffs that year (7th in the west) they had still fallen far. Lacroix stepped down afterwards giving Giguere the title but Lacroix is still the team president (above the GM) which explains a lot why Granato is back the helm. I do agree however, that FG doesn’t know much about hockey talent and is mainly a numbers guy.

Yes, some changes still need to be made and start at the top, but there is dead wood on the roster. Arnason (Invisible and ultimately a non-factor even with some assists in the past couple games), Tucker ( we already have enough players like this guy) , Guite (expendable in my opinion and yes i know he’s still hurt), Hannan ( he is starting to look like a bust, i think he can still turn it around maybe, let’s hope so, he has a no-trade clause anyway), One of Salei or Clark can go too in my opinion. Svatos ( don’t want to see this guy go but if he can’t stay healthy at all then what’s the point? He always gets hurt after starting to catch fire too.) Just some opinions. This team is likely going to stay very mediocre unless something gives eventually.

EnzoSin

Yeah, we are going to see this a lot this year, win one, lose one, win one, lose one, win one, win one, then lose one, lose one, lose one. That’s what mediocre teams do. I don’t see them beating the Wings the next game even though it would be nice to see. The coaching staff is still not right for this team, also did it ever occur to anyone that Giguere could merely be the scapegoat for Lacroix so that Lacroix doesn’t get the finger pointed at him for the teams troubles? Keep in mind that Lacroix was still the GM the first year of the “Av’s Killer New NHL” and even though they made the playoffs that year (7th in the west) they had still fallen far. Lacroix stepped down afterwards giving Giguere the title but Lacroix is still the team president (above the GM) which explains a lot why Granato is back the helm. I do agree however, that FG doesn’t know much about hockey talent and is mainly a numbers guy.

Yes, some changes still need to be made and start at the top, but there is dead wood on the roster. Arnason (Invisible and ultimately a non-factor even with some assists in the past couple games), Tucker ( we already have enough players like this guy) , Guite (expendable in my opinion and yes i know he’s still hurt), Hannan ( he is starting to look like a bust, i think he can still turn it around maybe, let’s hope so, he has a no-trade clause anyway), One of Salei or Clark can go too in my opinion. Svatos ( don’t want to see this guy go but if he can’t stay healthy at all then what’s the point? He always gets hurt after starting to catch fire too.) Just some opinions. This team is likely going to stay very mediocre unless something gives eventually.

Blue

AD

I enjoy your posts and reporting. In response to AVSFAN, I would imagine that the players, coaches, front-office personnel do read blogs like these, so you don’t have to “channel” the thoughts and frustrations. Any indication that they do and, to you get some grief for your very candid opinions here?

Blue

AD

I enjoy your posts and reporting. In response to AVSFAN, I would imagine that the players, coaches, front-office personnel do read blogs like these, so you don’t have to “channel” the thoughts and frustrations. Any indication that they do and, to you get some grief for your very candid opinions here?

Aaron

Take a page out of Mike Holmgren’s book. Trade key pieces for key picks and key players that can help your team out. Look a Philladelpia today. Some of their best players came from smart trades during the lockout. Lupul, Upshall, Biron, Harnell, Timmonen. They all came through smart trades. We need to sell our bigger pieces for smaller pieces that actually fit.

The first problem with this team is that few people fit. Tucker, Salei, Arnason, for instance, don’t fit into a role on this team. When parts aren’t fitting right, the team is out of sync. The second problem is we are using players in the wrong places. Stewart has scored two goals in two straight games. Imagine putting him with some offensive talent to see what he could do. Hensick is not a third line winger. Arnason is not a hockey player. About the only line that we have that has all the players playing where they should, is the RPM line.

We need to keep a core of Smyth, Stastny, Hejduk, Stewart, Foote, Laperriere and Wolski. Anyone but them, is tradeable. The better the player, the better the trade offer. Rebuild this season to make next season better.

Aaron

Take a page out of Mike Holmgren’s book. Trade key pieces for key picks and key players that can help your team out. Look a Philladelpia today. Some of their best players came from smart trades during the lockout. Lupul, Upshall, Biron, Harnell, Timmonen. They all came through smart trades. We need to sell our bigger pieces for smaller pieces that actually fit.

The first problem with this team is that few people fit. Tucker, Salei, Arnason, for instance, don’t fit into a role on this team. When parts aren’t fitting right, the team is out of sync. The second problem is we are using players in the wrong places. Stewart has scored two goals in two straight games. Imagine putting him with some offensive talent to see what he could do. Hensick is not a third line winger. Arnason is not a hockey player. About the only line that we have that has all the players playing where they should, is the RPM line.

We need to keep a core of Smyth, Stastny, Hejduk, Stewart, Foote, Laperriere and Wolski. Anyone but them, is tradeable. The better the player, the better the trade offer. Rebuild this season to make next season better.

Jeremy

Is the fact that the Avs are mediocre suppossed to be some sort of revelation? Last night was a game the Avs should have probably won. Not to sound like an Avs apologist but in case you haven’t noticed the Blackhawks have a pretty good team.

Having a one goal lead with roughly 10 mins to go in the 3rd period isn’t exactly a choke job. When one team is better than another (which the Blackhawks are)…things like that happen. How many times in the past have we seen the Avs do the same thing the Hawks did last night to a middle of the road team?

I think a lot of Avs fans are pretty delusional. This team isn’t going to compete this year for anything more than the 8th maybe 7th seed in the west. Getting rid of Arnason (I agree he stinks) Hannan or whatever one person fans make out to be the scapegoat isn’t going to change that.

Jeremy

Is the fact that the Avs are mediocre suppossed to be some sort of revelation? Last night was a game the Avs should have probably won. Not to sound like an Avs apologist but in case you haven’t noticed the Blackhawks have a pretty good team.

Having a one goal lead with roughly 10 mins to go in the 3rd period isn’t exactly a choke job. When one team is better than another (which the Blackhawks are)…things like that happen. How many times in the past have we seen the Avs do the same thing the Hawks did last night to a middle of the road team?

I think a lot of Avs fans are pretty delusional. This team isn’t going to compete this year for anything more than the 8th maybe 7th seed in the west. Getting rid of Arnason (I agree he stinks) Hannan or whatever one person fans make out to be the scapegoat isn’t going to change that.

Adrian Dater

I take grief sometimes from the team for what I write, but it’s just part of the job. Water off a duck’s back with me.
A lot of players and management types now say “I don’t read it” (either papers or opinions from paper people or fans on blogs).
My response: Great, don’t read it. Stay ignorant of your customers, don’t take opinions from other sources, some of which might actually benefit you. Stay in your little cocoon of a world.
Oh, and don’t come whining to me when you’re out of a job because you didn’t listen to others or were too ignorant to stay informed of things.

Adrian Dater

I take grief sometimes from the team for what I write, but it’s just part of the job. Water off a duck’s back with me.
A lot of players and management types now say “I don’t read it” (either papers or opinions from paper people or fans on blogs).
My response: Great, don’t read it. Stay ignorant of your customers, don’t take opinions from other sources, some of which might actually benefit you. Stay in your little cocoon of a world.
Oh, and don’t come whining to me when you’re out of a job because you didn’t listen to others or were too ignorant to stay informed of things.

filmar

This team will never get any better until they get a g man that is at least a average number 1 g man in the NHL. Peter is not even close to that and what he is being paid only supports that fact, there is a reason he is not and never will make the big bucks! Put Raycroft in for 20 ganes in a row, at least he won 3 out of the 4 he played, Peter cant say that!!!

filmar

This team will never get any better until they get a g man that is at least a average number 1 g man in the NHL. Peter is not even close to that and what he is being paid only supports that fact, there is a reason he is not and never will make the big bucks! Put Raycroft in for 20 ganes in a row, at least he won 3 out of the 4 he played, Peter cant say that!!!

Al

I just want to say that Mike Haynes is one of the best broadcasters in the business… ON THE RADIO.

There was nothing better than Haynes and Jones on the radio. Most games I would turn off Kelly/McNabb and put the radio on.

Once he came to TV, it was all over.

Also, for the record, Mike Haynes wanted to return to radio, thinking he was a temporary replacement for Doug McCloud. I don’t remember what happened, but they managed to keep him on TV.

Al

I just want to say that Mike Haynes is one of the best broadcasters in the business… ON THE RADIO.

There was nothing better than Haynes and Jones on the radio. Most games I would turn off Kelly/McNabb and put the radio on.

Once he came to TV, it was all over.

Also, for the record, Mike Haynes wanted to return to radio, thinking he was a temporary replacement for Doug McCloud. I don’t remember what happened, but they managed to keep him on TV.

andy

tucker- literally laughed out loud, so thank you

now, does the house channel remind anyone else of a Russia circa 1979, with all it’s proganda-spewing shenannigans? doesn’t the front office understand that the fan base realizes what’s going on, and doesn’t like it? maybe they should read these posts…

andy

tucker- literally laughed out loud, so thank you

now, does the house channel remind anyone else of a Russia circa 1979, with all it’s proganda-spewing shenannigans? doesn’t the front office understand that the fan base realizes what’s going on, and doesn’t like it? maybe they should read these posts…

MF JC

So you just learned the word ‘mediocre.’ We get it.

Enough already.

MF JC

So you just learned the word ‘mediocre.’ We get it.

Enough already.

Pull da Goalie

AD, you nailed it. Very sad, but very true. I’m glad to hear someone speaking the truth – especially about the “House Channel”, and the “House Men” spewing their propaganda. I’d love to be able to hear McNab be able to speak his mind and offer a little honest criticism. This team and it’s management has totally lost their credibility and is rapidly losing their fan-base. It’s a very sad fall from grace. Stan Kroenke – I hope you read this.

Pull da Goalie

AD, you nailed it. Very sad, but very true. I’m glad to hear someone speaking the truth – especially about the “House Channel”, and the “House Men” spewing their propaganda. I’d love to be able to hear McNab be able to speak his mind and offer a little honest criticism. This team and it’s management has totally lost their credibility and is rapidly losing their fan-base. It’s a very sad fall from grace. Stan Kroenke – I hope you read this.

Ed

So many comments above are right on. The AVs have fallen so far. Season tickets in the lower bowl are 10 grand a season for 2 seats. There are too many other worthy things to spend money on. The first decent efforts the AVs put forward this season were the Vancouver and Kings games. There was actually some fire in the team those nights, but most nights the game is ho-hum and predictable. AVs management should be ashamed of the product on the ice and thus should expect that long time fans like me aren’t going to waste any more money on this team. AD, you are right on this time, and the AVs are as ignorant as the losers that brought down our economy. They just drink their own bath water and ruin their business by making decisions that feed their own ego. Please tell AVs management is the game, its the product on the ice stupid!

Ed

So many comments above are right on. The AVs have fallen so far. Season tickets in the lower bowl are 10 grand a season for 2 seats. There are too many other worthy things to spend money on. The first decent efforts the AVs put forward this season were the Vancouver and Kings games. There was actually some fire in the team those nights, but most nights the game is ho-hum and predictable. AVs management should be ashamed of the product on the ice and thus should expect that long time fans like me aren’t going to waste any more money on this team. AD, you are right on this time, and the AVs are as ignorant as the losers that brought down our economy. They just drink their own bath water and ruin their business by making decisions that feed their own ego. Please tell AVs management is the game, its the product on the ice stupid!

Andrzej, Poland

You have to eat your words Adrian :-) Great game by Raycroft, he kept this team in the game. He looks like guy, who won Calder Trophy tonight. It’s a pity, that he can’t do this on regular basis. WOW… it’s great to beat Detroit at Joe!

Andrzej, Poland

You have to eat your words Adrian :-) Great game by Raycroft, he kept this team in the game. He looks like guy, who won Calder Trophy tonight. It’s a pity, that he can’t do this on regular basis. WOW… it’s great to beat Detroit at Joe!

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.

Chambers covers college and professional hockey for The Denver Post. He has written for the Post since 1994, after dumping his first 9-to-5 office job a couple years out of college. He primarily follows the University of Denver hockey team and helps cover the Avalanche.